LaFleur (SB 205) Act No. 361
New law creates the "Immersion School Choice Act" and provides as follows:
(1)Authorizes a local public school board to establish a foreign language immersion
program in any school under its jurisdiction that shall be open to the enrollment of
any student who resides within the jurisdictional boundaries of the school district.
(2)Provides that, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a local public school board,
if requested in writing signed by the parent or legal guardian of at least 25 students
enrolled in kindergarten who reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the school
district, shall establish a foreign language immersion program for such students,
provided:
(a)The parent or legal guardian of each student commits, in writing, that the
student will participate in the program.
(b)The requisite number of signatures are submitted to the local school board not
later than March first prior to the school year in which the program is to be
established.
(c)The MFP formula provides funding to local school systems employing
foreign language teachers to provide salary supplements for such teachers at
a level equal to or greater than the level of funding provided for this purpose
through such formula for the 2011-12 fiscal year.
(d)A sufficient number of foreign language teachers, with the required
credentials as prescribed by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education (BESE) are available through programs administered by the Dept.
of Education and the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana to
establish the program.
(e)There is no existing foreign language immersion program offered by the local
school board that has been certified by BESE.
(3)Provides that such program shall be continued as long as at least 20 students remain
enrolled in the program.
(4)Requires the local school board to ensure that any foreign language immersion
program created pursuant to new law is designated as a Certified Foreign Language
Immersion Program in accordance with applicable law and is established within three
years from the date of such program.
(5)Provides that a local school board shall not be required to provide transportation to
any student enrolled in a foreign language immersion program established that is
located outside the attendance zone of the school the student would otherwise attend
if providing such transportation would result in additional transportation costs to the
school system.
Effective August 1, 2013.
(Adds R.S. 17:273.3)